Michael Thomas thinks Saints have top wide receiver corps in NFL

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) celebrates with New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) after his 21-yard touchdown reception during the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome on Sunday, November 27, 2016. (Photo by Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

(Michael DeMocker)

The NFL Network on Sunday night tweeted a photo of New York Giants wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz along with the question, "Best WR trio in the league?"

At least a few New Orleans Saints didn't agree with the tweet. Rookie Michael Thomas responded by saying the tweet was a reach, and Willie Snead said that stats speak louder than words.

By Monday night, NFL Network had a tweet showing the top five trios based on receiving yards. The Saints -- with Brandin Cooks, Thomas and Snead -- were at the top of the list while the Giants weren't even on it.

"I feel like the proof is in the pudding, and I feel like it solves itself when you use Google," Thomas said Tuesday of which team had the best trio.

The Saints have a chance this year to become just the fifth team in NFL history with three wide receivers who tally 1,000 yards. The last team to accomplish the feat was the Arizona Cardinals in 2008 with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston.

Cooks has already reached the mark as he's up to 1,056 yards after his career-high 186 yards in Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals. Thomas has 883 yards and Snead has 792, so both of them will have to produce well in the final two games to reach 1,000.

Asked about the Saints' trio of receivers, coach Sean Payton said he looks at the group as a whole, and Thomas said something similar when asked if the Saints were the top group in the NFL.

"I believe so, and I feel like that's how we approach the game, not necessarily as a trio but as a receiver room," Thomas said. "And just when we have Drew Brees (under) center, we all want to be at our best."

In addition to Cooks, Thomas and Snead, Brandon Coleman has made some timely plays this season and contributed significantly as a blocker. Tommylee Lewis and Jake Lampman have helped on special teams, too.

Multiple times, though, Thomas kept talking about Snead getting a lack of credit among Saints receivers. Thomas said Snead "does of a lot of the dirty work" that helps the other receivers produce -- though Snead has been plenty productive as well.

For Thomas, a second-round pick this year, playing with other impressive receivers helps encourage him to keep improving.

The Saints' trio has a 162-yard cushion over the No. 2 group -- Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers. But, Thomas didn't want to discuss which group would be second best after the Saints.

"I'm not really worried about who's second," he said. "We're just trying to shoot for first. That's it."